2016 Silly Season

[Mariusz]

Pirelli is not on the same level as Michelin though, so even if DMACK is able to get to Pirelli level Fords would be losing time just because of tires. Most of people tend to simplify things and when they would see Fords at the end of classification they won't go into details and they will just say that Fords are slow. I know it may be about money, but if Malcolm wants to at least pretend that Ford WRC is competitive taking slower tires is not going to help him.

[b3637853]

Yves Matton said that all becomes clear. They will announce the decision in first half of december, Peugeot and Citroen will have more than one program. He said: "If we will stay in WRC we want to fight for victory in 2018-2019.
Regarding drivers: "We will choose drivers in 3 weeks after Rally GB, we think about 3 scenarios and we want to avoid errors. I'm interested in Neuville, he is the only choice for Citroen in 2017."

http://wrc.net.pl/citroen-zostaje

[EstWRC]

i just dont get this Neuville love from everyone....mystical

[bassist]

Yves Matton said that all becomes clear. They will announce the decision in first half of december, Peugeot and Citroen will have more than one program. He said: "If we will stay in WRC we want to fight for victory in 2018-2019.
Regarding drivers: "We will choose drivers in 3 weeks after Rally GB, we think about 3 scenarios and we want to avoid errors. I'm interested in Neuville, he is the only choice for Citroen in 2017."

http://wrc.net.pl/citroen-zostaje

Think he said Neuville is the only `good` choice for 2017, if the interview translated correctly!

[b3637853]

Think he said Neuville is the only `good` choice for 2017, if the interview translated correctly!

Yeap I must have missed it. Anyway for me it's also hard to understand why Neuville? Is he going to be better after 2016 or Matton knows that their 2017 car will suit him? What is it?

[dimviii]

Yeap I must have missed it. Anyway for me it's also hard to understand why Neuville? Is he going to be better after 2016 or Matton knows that their 2017 car will suit him? What is it?

Neuville and Matton are from Belgium.

[bassist]

Yeap I must have missed it. Anyway for me it's also hard to understand why Neuville? Is he going to be better after 2016 or Matton knows that their 2017 car will suit him? What is it?

Seems to me that Neuville is just a `pin up boy`! He just hasnt shown the speed, and Paddon has `rattled` him!

[dimviii]

How do you rate the 2015 season Thierry Neuville?
"Obviously not the level of what was expected of a driver like Thierry, Vice-World Champion in 2014 and winner of a WRC in 2014. The failure to feel supported, that the leaders of Hyundai put their No.1 in danger, did not help. "
What would you do if you were the manager Thierry?
"I would focus on in 2017 to avoid making a wrong career choice again if we are still here in 2017, Thierry interested I would say even more:... In 2017, Citroën is its only good choice"

http://www.dhnet.be/sports/moteurs/m...70bccfaed0ff24

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Full Yves Matton interview (translation):

Yves, do you already know if Citroën WRC will still beyond 2016?
"I have an idea increasingly clear on the issue. It will be announced during the first half of December. But it is certain that Peugeot and Citroen will not have a single official program. This will be the WTCC and WRC regarding us. With the goal of winning. "

So more with the same drivers as this year ...
"(laughs). Kris has won a race ..."

The aim would be to win a race?
"No. But we do not target the title in 2017 if we continue in the WRC with a new car and new regulations. It will be a three-year plan. Our goal is to win more victories in 2017 and win the title in 2018 or 2019. "

Do you have guarantees on the possibility of having a competitive car in 2017 configuration?
"95% of the items that I mean that I'm confident that we could fight to Citroen with a new segment of B."

Have you chosen your drivers for 2016?
"No, but this will be done within three weeks just after the Wales Rally GB. Currently I have three possible scenarios."

Will you keep the same two drivers?
"It is not impossible if we should not stay in the WRC in 2017."

Your drivers have they met your expectations in 2015?
"If I answer that question, I also answer to the previous ... I must therefore abstain."

How do you rate the 2015 season Thierry Neuville?
"Obviously not the level of what was expected of a driver like Thierry, Vice-World Champion in 2014 and winner of a WRC in 2014. The failure to feel supported, that the leaders of Hyundai put their No.1 in danger, did not help. "

What would you do if you were the manager Thierry?
"I would focus on in 2017 to avoid making a wrong career choice again if we are still here in 2017, Thierry interested I would say even more:... In 2017, Citroën is its only good choice"

[RS]

I thought Matton meant that for Neuville Citroen was the only good choice for 2017.

Basically Matton is saying if they are confirmed for 2017 they will not retain both of this year's drivers in 2016.

Citroen are already in WTCC and WRC so a possible scenario is Citroen quitting WRC after 2016 but Peugeot coming in 2017.